Donald Trump Says Hillary Clinton Has "Become Very Shrill"

During a campaign stop in South Carolina on Wednesday, Donald Trump tried to prove he wasn't sexist — and then went on to make a sexist comment. The Washington Postreports that just after arguing that he loves women, he called Hillary Clinton "shrill."

"I respect women more than I respect men. Are the men insulted by that?" he asked, to a chorus of "no"s. "But I have great respect and admiration — I cherish women! Hillary Clinton said, 'You shouldn't cherish women.' I said, 'I do cherish women! I love women!' My mother was, like, the greatest woman I've ever met. The greatest!"

He then went on to attack Clinton. "And Hillary, who's become very shrill, you know the word shrill? She's become shrill," he said. He then went on to call her the "original birther" who started raising suspicion about whether President Obama was born in America. Clinton has vehemently denied any connection to the "birther" movement.

The word "shrill" technically means a high-pitched, piercing, sharp sound. The term is often used to deride strong women, reducing them to a nagging, scolding figure rather than a powerful person trying to get her point across. It's similar to calling a woman "strident" or "bossy" — it's a negative contrast to the typical soft, soothing "feminine" stereotype.

Trump quickly defended his comments, saying on MSNBC's Morning Joe that the term isn't just about women. "I think the word 'shrill' doesn't apply to women exclusively," he said. "I know men that are shrill." He went on to say that Clinton has become "loud" and "boisterous" on the campaign trail.

"I know many men who've become very loud and obnoxious also," he said. "I would call Rand Paul shrill."

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